Consuelo Vanderbilt
(1877-1964), Former wife of 9th Duke of Marlborough, and later wife of Jacques Balsan; daughter of William Kissam VanderbiltConsuelo (née Vanderbilt), Duchess of Marlborough (later Mrs Balsan)
Sitter in 11 portraits
Consuelo Vanderbilt was the richest American heiress to marry into British aristocracy. Her mother, Alva, was ambitious for her daughter's marriage prospects and named her after Consuelo Yznaga, a childhood friend. Another of Alva's friends, Minnie Paget, introduced Consuelo to the eligible Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough. Her objection to the match was overruled, and Consuelo was said to have cried throughout her wedding day in 1895, aged seventeen. Her dowry of $2.5 million was used to improve Blenheim Palace. After producing 'an heir and a spare' - a phrase she coined - the couple separated and their marriage was finally annulled in 1926.
Duke and Duchess of Marlborough at Woodstock Town Hall
by Unknown photographer
gelatin printing-out paper print, April 1896
NPG P1700(23)
Consuelo Vanderbilt as the wife of the French Ambassador at the Court of Catherine of Russia
by Alexander Bassano, photogravure by Walker & Boutall
photogravure, 1897; published 1899
NPG Ax41116
published by Bassano Ltd
photogravure, published 1909
NPG Ax161364
by Rita Martin
whole-plate glass negative, 1910
NPG x41297
Consuelo (née Vanderbilt), Duchess of Marlborough with her sons
by Rita Martin
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 23 July 1910
NPG x136576
by Frederick John Jenkins, after Heller
heliogravure, early 20th century
NPG D38261
by Lallie Charles, by Rita Martin, by Pach Brothers
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 7 June 1911
NPG x193472
Related People
- Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough (husband)
- John Albert Edward William Spencer-Churchill, 10th Duke of Marlborough (son)
- John George Vanderbilt Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough (grandson)
- Lady Rosemary Mildred Muir (née Spencer-Churchill) (granddaughter)
- Lady Sarah Consuelo Roubanis (née Spencer-Churchill) (granddaughter)
- Lord Ivor Charles Spencer-Churchill (son)
- Lady Caroline Waterhouse (née Spencer-Churchill) (granddaughter)
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